How to Donate Musical Instruments to Charity

1). Get an evaluation. Take your instrument to your local music repair store and get it inspected by a professional. If your instrument is difficult to transport, a piano, for instance, have the music expert come over to inspect it. Find out if it is in playing condition and arrange for minor repairs to get it back in shape. If the repairs are major and expensive, wait to find out if the organization accepting your donation will take responsibility for repairs.

2). Contact schools. Get in touch with local schools that include music as part of the curriculum. Find out if they require instruments for students to practice at school and ask if they accept instrument donations.

3). Contact charity organizations. Visit the websites of organizations that accept musical instrument donations: Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, Charity Music, Collectibles with Causes are a few examples. Find out details of the types of instruments they accept; some organizations do not accept particular instruments. Provided your instrument is one of the approved types, send an email to the organization, giving details like the make, age, present condition and the reason for donation.

4). Donate the instrument. If you receive a favorable reply from the organization, finalize the handover details. Ask about the organization's procedure to grant you a receipt to claim a tax deduction. If the organization arranges for picking up the instrument, provide your address and other relevant contact details. Alternatively, pack the instrument with all the accessories you have in working condition, and hand it over to a shipping service, if the organization asks you to have the instrument delivered to them.